Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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The flesh does not understand nor care for the things of the spirit the scriptures made that clear the issue is that they reject the scriptures and try to overcomplicate things when the word of God is plain and simple here

But we are not just bodies. We have a mind, emotion, conscience and will, all functions of the soul which God made in His image. The flesh deceives our mind because we live in the dark until God meets us with grace and truth. When His light shines in the darkness we get to see what we never knew before and we find ourselves desiring it or hating it. Grace prevents the flesh dominating our thinking while God presents His truth so we can freely choose to love Him and not simply be manipulated or coerced in any way.
 
Quit pontificating already! Just answer my question. Did your parents raise you to do whatsoever you wanted to do whenever and wherever you wanted to? Or did they ever impose their will upon you?


As Jesus said.....

"Not my will but your will be done. "

Jesus had free will.
And, he chose to do the Father's will.

Jesus had free will.
So?
It glorifies God when we CHOOSE to do his will.

Did that not answer your question, again?

But, that's how I CHOSE to answer it.
 
You are caught up in a never ending cycle.....
Chain sinning.

It would be unreasonable for me to try to reason with you again.
you keep repeating back what I'm saying to you, it's like you've gone from being my monkey to my parrot,

Well anyway I don't think me and you will ever see eye to eye,

But I do hope you finally come to your senses one day.
 
False gospels teach that if the individual does not do, then grace alone cannot save. In other words, God’s grace needs your works to secure salvation. The false gospels taught by lost people, and accepted by equally lost people teach that grace alone cannot save. Their savior is themselves, not God; their means to salvation is works, not grace alone.

Salvation cannot simultaneously be earned and given, therefore it is either something given OR earned.
 
you keep repeating back what I'm saying to you, it's like you've gone from being my monkey to my parrot,

Well anyway I don't think me and you will ever see eye to eye,

But I do hope you finally come to your senses one day.

Break the cycle.
Why don't you?

Put me on Ignore.
 
False gospels teach that if the individual does not do, then grace alone cannot save. In other words, God’s grace needs your works to secure salvation. The false gospels taught by lost people, and accepted by equally lost people teach that grace alone cannot save. Their savior is themselves, not God; their means to salvation is works, not grace alone.

Salvation cannot simultaneously be earned and given, therefore it is either something given OR earned.

Grace enables one to do what one is normally powerless to do.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Cor 12:9a​
.
 
Many have probably realised i don't think we can exercise free will, even think it's impossible for us to. Won't explain why i think it's an impossiblility for us yet, think it's useful for some to express why they think it exists first.

I have no doubt we have and can make choices throughout life, however, think our options are far more restricted than most realise. What do you think?
I think you are right that we make real choices, but inside limits we did not choose. Scripture shows people choosing, yet always shaped by nature, knowledge, and circumstances. Responsibility still exists because you choose what you love and follow, even if your range of options stays narrow. The Bible seems more concerned with who you obey than with unlimited freedom.
 
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No @Rufus , God did not forcibly lobotomize and then kidnap Noah.

I'm sure that this news is quite a letdown, so don't take it too hard.

You know, it sort of reminds me of the story of Pinocchio. It's like they can't be a real human until God gives them a new heart. Until then, they are just a wooden toy. :unsure::confused:
 
I think you are right that we make real choices, but inside limits we did not choose. Scripture shows people choosing, yet always shaped by nature, knowledge, and circumstances. Responsibility still exists because you choose what you love and follow, even if your range of options stays narrow. The Bible seems more concerned with who you obey than with unlimited freedom.
Right. Every volitionalist recognizes that the human sphere is limited in terms of available choices.

Nevertheless, the fact of choosing remains. And this is fully supported in Scripture cover to cover.
 
Go find something productive to do.

Put me on Ignore.

If not?
You love to complain and whine a lot.
I do hope you get over whatever is the underlying emotional problems you have.

Your only making yourself worse by lashing out all the time.

Best thing you can do mate is learn to be more tolerant,

Anyhow you have a nice evening
 
Less true in what way?

By adding detail to the truth, I was trying to disprove the truth?

I am not of your mindset, so I am failing to see what perspective you are coming from.
Mind explaining, please?
Never mind mind it doesn't matter but we can at least agree that scripture is truth yes? So if the scriptures say something we should listen correct? so if I am to understand correctly the scriptures that specifically say that no one comes to Christ unless the father draws them should be as it says so in my understanding at least this alone should be enough to prove that one requires his leading to come to salvation thus the flesh which only desires the things of the flesh is not capable of seeking God by their own volition
 
False gospels teach that if the individual does not do, then grace alone cannot save. In other words, God’s grace needs your works to secure salvation. The false gospels taught by lost people, and accepted by equally lost people teach that grace alone cannot save. Their savior is themselves, not God; their means to salvation is works, not grace alone.

Salvation cannot simultaneously be earned and given, therefore it is either something given OR earned.



You are on a ship, and it begins to sink... at night.
You get thrown into the water in the dark.

You hear a lifeboat going by.
You scream for help.
They pull up and grab you in.

Did you save yourself?
Did someone else save you?
Did you do something to warrant special merit for them to save you?

Make sense, please.

Knowing you need a Savior is all that is required.
That is meritorious?
How?
Knowing that you are no good to save yourself?

Besides...

Certain fake religions promise a type of fake salvation.
Even unbelievers sense they need to be saved.


grace and peace ..........
 
Never mind mind it doesn't matter but we can at least agree that scripture is truth yes? So if the scriptures say something we should listen correct? so if I am to understand correctly the scriptures that specifically say that no one comes to Christ unless the father draws them should be as it says so in my understanding at least this alone should be enough to prove that one requires his leading to come to salvation thus the flesh which only desires the things of the flesh is not capable of seeking God by their own volition


Are you saying that Scriptures always say the same thing to everyone who reads them?

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.


.......
 
False gospels teach that if the individual does not do, then grace alone cannot save. In other words, God’s grace needs your works to secure salvation. The false gospels taught by lost people, and accepted by equally lost people teach that grace alone cannot save. Their savior is themselves, not God; their means to salvation is works, not grace alone.

Salvation cannot simultaneously be earned and given, therefore it is either something given OR earned.
You must eat the Passover Lamb for salvation, despite your ridiculous and ignorant pretensions to the contrary.
 
Never mind mind it doesn't matter but we can at least agree that scripture is truth yes? So if the scriptures say something we should listen correct? so if I am to understand correctly the scriptures that specifically say that no one comes to Christ unless the father draws them should be as it says so in my understanding at least this alone should be enough to prove that one requires his leading to come to salvation thus the flesh which only desires the things of the flesh is not capable of seeking God by their own volition
The Calvinists sovereign pre-birth lottery immunity is NOT going to work.

Luk 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Strive
g75
Ἀγωνίζεσθε ἀγωνίζομαι agōnizomai

Mood: Imperative

Definition of "Imperative"
Corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. Thus, Jesus' phrase, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mk.1:15) is not at all an "invitation," but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.


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A direct reference to the eating of the Passover Lamb IMO.
Something that NO ONE can do for you, you MUST do it YOURSELF.

[Jhn 6:53-56 KJV]
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
 
Never mind mind it doesn't matter but we can at least agree that scripture is truth yes? So if the scriptures say something we should listen correct? so if I am to understand correctly the scriptures that specifically say that no one comes to Christ unless the father draws them should be as it says so in my understanding at least this alone should be enough to prove that one requires his leading to come to salvation thus the flesh which only desires the things of the flesh is not capable of seeking God by their own volition
Christ issues declarative COMMANDS that are non-negotiable. Make a list.
Those who exercise FAITH in His authority, BELIEVE Him and do what He says, are doing His will.

You hyper-Calvinists are living in a fantasy world. One that requires no personal belief, no personal faith, no personal seeking, no personal asking, no personal entering the Door.

There is no reason to think that the Scripture portrays God ENTERING the Door on behalf of the sinner (or acting as a proxy to fulfill any other Divine directive either).

Not only that, these Calvinist think that Christ is doing the ENTERING for them.....before they were ever born,
without them even being aware of it!


Jhn 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.